Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Inalienable Noun

Definition: 

An inalienable noun is a noun that

  • refers to something viewed as permanently and necessarily possessed, and
  • is thus obligatorily expressed as possessed.

It may require a distinguishing possessive form.

Examples: 

(Awa, Papua New Guinea)

In Awa, the body part and kinship terms are expressed as inalienable nouns.